Study : Anorexia Probably Is A Habit , Not Willpower

The disorder anorexia is a disorder that makes a person will lose weight , and have a fear of weight gain . In this situation , they will diet and exercise too much and always feel fat . For women who have anorexia , they have a tendency both in restraint for their weight . Although, discipline their property would damage himself.

However , research shows that the characteristics of extreme diet in anorexia is perhaps the habit. Behavior is controlled via brain processes inflexible and slow to change. These findings could help explain why that has the highest mortality rate among mental illness is very difficult to handle .

More and more evidence shows that there is a regular part of the brain involved in habitual behavior , play a role in the disorder in which people will make choices regardless of the consequences . Through psychiatric treatment or therapist by people with eating disorders are usually very helpful . A study says , 50 percent or more of anorexic patients treated and discharged when the weight returns to normal , will relapse within one year .

" What must be known about people with anorexia nervosa is that they are not going to stop , " said Dr. Joanna E. Steinglass , a professor at New York Psychiatric Institute at Columbia Universitay Medical Center, who published his findings in the journal Nature Neuroscience , as quoted on the New York Times.

"When they are undergoing treatment and said that they want to improve, and they can not do , " added Dr. Steinglass . Karin Forde , researchers from institutes of Columbia .

The researchers used a brain scanner to look at activity of 21 women with anorexia and 21 healthy women when they make decisions about what you want to eat food . The study found that women with anorexia together with healthy women , they will choose foods low in calories and little to choose foods high in fat .

Through brain scans , known owner of anorexia and healthy women showed activity in the ventral striatum , the brain 's desire for reward . But women with anorexia also showed more activity in the dorsal striatum , a brain region involved in perlaku habit. This shows that rather than having to weigh the costs and benefits , they will act automatically berdasaran past experience .

"This is an important discovery , " said Antonio Rangel , professor of neuroscience , biology habits , and economy of the California Institute of Technology , but was not involved in the research .

" If you are consistent in this idea , a system that controls the behavior of the habit of anorexia , exceed those in the general population , " said Dr. Rangel .

B. Timothy Walsh , a senior researcher , said that the above study is the development of a study he published in 2013. In his study, he mentioned that women prone to anorexia , weight loss is considered as an achievement , raises a compliment , reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem , Berjalannnya Over time , a diet that is paired with reward weight loss diet will be beneficial action .

" This theory may explain why the treatment is done at the beginning will be more successful than those made ​​after the specified long enough to have anorexia. I estimate that the diet in patients with anorexia is a habit , dorsal striatum is more involved here , " said Dr. Walsh as also quoted from the New York Times .

" This explains why treatments such as antidepressants and cognitive therapy does not work well. Therefore , the habit should be replaced by other habits , " said Dr. Walsh .

Study : Anorexia Probably Is A Habit , Not Willpower

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